Greek Festival highlights busy weekend of events

It is fall festival season and there are eight on the schedule this weekend in St. Johns County.

With the cooler temperatures, festival goers can spend more time outdoors listening to live music, making scarecrows or strolling down Aviles Street during the festivities. For a list of other weekend events, see Compass Magazine in today’s newspaper or go online to staugustine.com/entertainment.

The festival list follows:

Greek Festival

Today through Sunday: The annual Greek Festival, hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, will be held at Francis Field, 29 Castillo Drive, near the downtown parking garage. An assortment of Greek foods, pastries and beverages will be served. Entertainment includes live Greek music by the Hellenic Band and dancing by the costumed Greek dance troupes. Hours are 4-9 p.m. today; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults and free for children 12 and younger, and free admission for active military (with ID) and their immediate family members. Call 829-0504 or go to www.stauggreekfest.com.

Fiesta de Aviles, Running of the Bulls

Saturday and Sunday: The Aviles Street Merchants Association with host the third annual Fiesta de Aviles and Running of the Bulls. The event will celebrate the beauty and ambience of the oldest street in America. Entertainment will be from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday including the Jazzland All Stars and Luis Mario Peral. At 2 p.m. Saturday, there will be a human running of the bulls. In addition to music there will be Zumba in the morning, Flamenco dancing and a Brazilian Tropicana show to close the evening. The music will continue on Oct. 14 with Jim and Sylvia Kaval and “Sangria Sunday,” where each merchant competes to offer the best Sangria. Admission is free. Call 825-0069.

Palencia Street Festival

Saturday: The Palencia Street Festival and Military Appreciation Day will be from noon to 7 p.m. in the Palencia community, 600 Palencia Club Drive, from U.S. 1 North. The Children’s Museum of St. Johns will celebrate local hero’s who serve in the U.S. military. All benefits will go to the Greater Jacksonville area USO. The free event is open to the public.

Great American Scarecrow Festival

Saturday: The third annual Great American Scarecrow Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Simple Gestures, 4 White St., over the Bridge of Lions. The event is a fun-filled day for the entire family and will help fund programs for Pie in the Sky, a nonprofit organization in Hastings. Entertainment will be provided by Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizards. Free activities will include make-your-own scarecrow, bobbing for apples, corn hole, face painting and carnival games. Pies, hot dogs, drinks, pumpkins and raffle tickets will be available for sale. There will be a raffle for a Salted Caramel Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. The free event is open to the public.

Herbs in the Gardens Festival

Saturday: The Friends of Washington Oaks will host the 10th Annual “Herbs in the Gardens” Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the park, 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast. A plant sale will open at 10 a.m.; garden tours led by a park ranger will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and a “Cooking with Herbs” program will begin at noon with Ruth Micieli, chef and owner of Simple Gourmet. An herb themed recipe booklet will be distributed to participants during this workshop. This program will also focus on growing herbs at home and troubleshooting your herb questions. Regular park entrance fees apply. Call 386-446-6783.

Fall arts and craft festival & fish fry

Saturday: Riverdale United Methodist Church will host its third annual Fall Arts & Craft Festival and Fish Fry from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church, 1028 County Road 13 South. Visit booths of local artisians and crafters while children can play in the KIDs Zone with games and a bounce house. Fair food, church tours, and a fried fish dinner seated among majestic oaks (or dine in the air-conditioned fellowship hall) will be part of the event. The Blood Alliance will be on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. taking blood donations. The Apparent Project, a nonprofit organization helping to keep Haiti families together, will be selling Haitian made goods. In addition, a silent auction and a bake sale will be held. Free admission and parking. Call 806-6254.

Flagler Estates Fall Festival

Saturday: The Flagler Estates Fall Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Flagler Estates Park 9970 Oliver Ave., in Hastings. The event is sponsored by The Flagler Estates Community Redevelopment Committee and The St. Johns Housing Partnership. Free hamburgers, hot dogs and sodas will be available while they last, and live music will be provided by “Old Enough To Know Better.” In addition, free activities will be offered for children and families.

Treasures at the Fountain

Saturday: The United Way of St. Johns County will host their annual Treasures at the Fountain event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fountain of Youth, 11 Magnolia Ave. Activities for families will include music, games, re-enactors and face painting. The event also will include planetarium tours and lunch. Admission is $25 per family, with an additional $5 charge per family member after the sixth. Admission fee includes the entire day of activities. “Grown-Ups Groovin’ and Cruisin Time” runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. for adults ages 21 and older. Guests will enjoy a variety of beers, wines and sangrias. Local chefs Johnny Barnes and Beanie Masters will provide dinner, with desserts and dancing to follow. There also will be a silent auction. The all-inclusive admission for the evening is $50 per person. Tickets are available at www.treasuresatthefountain.com or at the United Way Office, 177 Bridge St. To purchase tickets by phone, call 829-9721.